title: The influence of sacral nerve stimulation on gastrointestinal motor function in patients with fecal incontinence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) is a well-established treatment for fecal incontinence of various etiologies. However, the mechanism of action remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine whether SNS affects gastric emptying, small intestinal transit or colonic transit times.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven patients with a permanently implanted sacral nerve stimulator participated in a double-blind randomized cross-over study. The patients were allocated to stimulation ON or OFF for two 7-day periods separated by at least 1week. On days 4-7 of each 7-day period, the patients were examined by gamma camera imaging to measure gastric emptying, small intestinal transit and colonic transit parameters of a radiolabeled, 1600 kJ mixed solid and liquid meal ingested on day 4.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sacral nerve stimulation did not change gastric retention at 15 min, gastric mean emptying time, gastric half emptying time, small intestinal mean transit time or colonic geometric center after 24, 48 and 72 h.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sacral nerve stimulation does not induce major changes in the propulsive capacity of the gastrointestinal tract in patients successfully treated for fecal incontinence with permanent sacral nerve stimulator.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Hvidovre Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. mdamgaard@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Damgaard
authors.forename: F G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Thomsen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sørensen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fuglsang
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Madsen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000378:metabolism; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000502:physiology; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000502:physiology*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008160:Lumbosacral Plexus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000502:physiology*; D012447:Sacrum / Q000294:innervation
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media